Significance of Changes of Neuron-Specific Enolase Level in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum of Children with Convulsion

Objective To explore the levels of neuron-specific enolase(NSE)in serum and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) of children with convulsion,and its significance to the diagnosis of neuronal damage was evaluated.Methods Sixty patients were enrolled,and they were divided into 4 groups:non-nervous system disease group,peripheral nervous system disease group,brief convulsion group,and prolonged/status convulsion group.The levels of NSE in serum and CSF were detected in 4 groups,and the electroencephalography(EEG) and computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging(CT/MRI) examinations were taken to observe the changes in patients with convulsion.Results The levels of NSE in serum and CSF of children with convulsion increased significant,especially in the prolonged/status convulsion group.Changes of NSE levels in serum and CSF were similar.Meanwhile,significant changes were found in EEG between the brief convulsion group and prolonged/status convulsion group;but no significantly changes were found in CT/MRI between the 2 groups.Conclusions NSE detection might be valuable to the diagnosis for neuronal damage in early time.The changes of NSE levels are similar to those in EEG,which are more sensitive than the changes in CT/MRI.It is very important to combine the NSE detection in serum or CSF and EEG examination in early time after convulsion for judgement to the neuronal damage and prognosis.